Chapter 410 - Chapter 410: Courage
Chapter 410: Courage
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Get lost! Are you even qualified to be here? Hurry up and get lost. Get lost now!” Ma Xiulan screeched at Su Qing and Su Xiu before turning to Little Sister Su in hatred. “And you! You jinx! You bring nothing but bad luck. You caused the death of your parents; is that not enough for you? Are you planning to spread your misfortune further?”
Those in the courtyard fidgeted, their expressions belying their discomfort. Su
Xueyong’s, in particular, revealed he was at the end of his rope.
Even Third Grandma frowned disapprovingly. She already regretted involving herself in this matter. She would not have been involved in these troubles if it had not been for Su Xuewe and Su Xueqiang’s promise to divide the land among those in the family without enough land to grow food. The situation deteriorated when Su Dachun and Ma Xiulan arrived, refusing to budge on the issue and even turning hostile.
Neither was willing to give an inch. What was the point of her being here, then?
Little Sister Su paled on the receiving end of Ma Xiulan’s abuse. If not for Su Wen, she would have fallen to her knees in penance. So strong was this impulse that she almost did it anyway – a testament to how often she found herself in similar circumstances.
Ma Xiulan was a thorn in Su Wen’s side, and she was losing patience with the woman. She had tried to remain cordial with her to preserve Ma Xiulan’s face. Now, falling out with her estranged grandmother was beginning to sound more pleasant in her ears. This was a lesson for her too. Never had she ever met someone as strange or unreasonable as Ma Xiulan.
“Grandma, how can you say that? If you chase my sister away, isn’t it as good as chasing me away?” Su Wen snarked sarcastically. “If we are unwelcome here, we shall take our leave.”
Su Wen did not give Ma Xiulan a chance to respond, cutting her off mid-sentence, “We’re leaving. There’s no reason we should be here if all anyone will do is look down on or demean us. What century is this? Are we still living in ancient times? The Qing Dynasty collapsed long ago, and we aren’t living in feudal times. How can you treat your granddaughter any less than the human being she is?”
Su Wen’s words were akin to physical blows, causing Ma Xiulan to stagger backward. Several of those following the exchange saw in one another’s faces the astonishment that marked the footsteps of Su Wen’s diatribe. No one expected Su Wen to be bold enough to talk back to her grandmother. She would be drowned in an ocean of caustic remarks, hedging at Su Wen’s disrespect. Of course, that was only if word got out.
If it did, however, Ma Xiulan would not escape the aftermath, sharing in her granddaughter’s humiliation. She might even be labeled as an imperialist. No one would want to be associated with her then.
Did Su Wen intend to fight this issue to her death?
Third Grandma could not allow things to continue as they were. Su Wen was compassionate, so she hoped to appeal to her better aspects. “Su Wen, do you intend to fight with your grandmother to the death?”
“That’s not it.” Su Wen sneered.
A collective sigh of relief rippled across those present. Even Ma Xiulan, who had been second-guessing herself, subconsciously straightened her back and glared at her granddaughter imperiously. She knew Su Wen would not have the guts to go against her.
However, Su Wen’s subsequent words wiped the smirks off their faces. Some even fell off their chairs in shock.
“My wonderful grandmother isn’t worthy of my attention.” A fire seemed to have been lit in Su Wen. It raged with every beat of her heart, burning brighter and brighter even as the thought of Su Xiu and Su Qing’s anguish was engraved deep into her bones. It was almost as if someone had poured a bucket of gasoline over her and set it alight, fanning the flames of her towering anger.
Her anger was almost… explosive.
What use was there in maintaining some semblance of a relationship? Why did the old demand respect without returning the young with their affections? How was it supposed to cultivate a healthy, stable environment from which the font of all the good in building familial ties could spring forth? It was utter bullsh*t. If she endured today, how would she be any different from the Su Wen of the past?
How could she face her sisters, then?
How could she forge a better life for her family? How could she afford to nurture the talents of her sisters?
Filial piety was well and good, but even that had limits, especially where her grandparents were concerned. Why should they offer respect and do as duty bade if they only ever saw their granddaughters as outsiders, enemies to them and theirs? This was just them playing at being pedantic..